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The first female NBA referee
In 1997 Violet Palmer made history by becoming the first female referee in the NBA.
She was told to, "Go back to the kitchen" and basketball was "a man's game."
In 1997, Violet Palmer made history by becoming the first female referee in the NBA.
During her career she faced sexism and discrimination.
Violet tells Gill Kearsley about the anticipation and excitement of refereeing her first match.
(Photo: Violet Palmer in 2013. Credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
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Mon 14 Aug 2023
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Olympic history
The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history
Sporting Witness Films
Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement
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Sporting Witness
Personal stories of amazing moments from sporting history told by people who were there
